January 03, 2014

New year, new beginnings, new opportunities

Hello again. I know it’s been such a long while. Here I am though, recommitting to this journey in this new year and excited to see where it leads. And I can’t help but notice that this is a perfect time to begin, again.

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What a beautiful time of year to set our sights on and prepare ourselves for renewal. The longest and darkest day of the year is already behind us and so we have the support of the universe to make room for change, improvement, and shine brighter. Whether it’s putting together a manageable list of New Year’s resolutions, observing some habits that perhaps need to be refreshed, or simply allowing yourself to ponder what you’d like to change in your life, Winter and the transition into a new year is a beautiful time to do so.

My personal transformation began this summer when we decided to make the move to Boston and has continued and evolved in so many ways since. The toughest, yet the most rewarding aspect of the transition was moving from a city I’ve become deeply familiar with and facing the prospect of being unemployed for an uncertain period of time. I know, however, that this is when the magic happens and it's a wonderful opportunity to explore and pursue new ideas, passions and dreams. This period is affording me the gift of knowing what it’s like to be somewhat uncomfortable with a certain situation and work through it gracefully. While life grants long-stretches of contentment and stability, change and periodic discomfort are inevitable. It’s the only way we grow and evolve as human beings. Otherwise, living feels static.

Yoga once again is a metaphor for this experience. There are poses that cause intense discomfort (Note: discomfort in this sense is not pain, you should never work through pain in any fitness routine) and while the first reaction is to either give up, get frustrated or have our minds wander, facing it, breathing, and consciously attempting the pose is the space within which transformation happens. Transitions and transformations are never easy, but trusting yourself and believing you need to experience them in order to grow and get where you want to be is rewarding.

In my Facebook post on New Year’s Eve, I wrote that my wish in 2014 is for myself and others to be deliberate in every aspect of life. It is so easy to become complacent whatever our situation; to stick with the status quo may seem more comfortable than taking a leap and facing the unknown. But, as C.S. Lewis once said, “There are far better things ahead, than any we leave behind.”

Here’s to new experiences, deliberate decisions, and paving our paths in a loving and compassionate way. May you begin the year with aspiration and hope and may you feel the support of the universe in every step of the way. Happy, healthy, fulfilling 2014!!